Efrem Kamen
Efrem Kamen is the Founder of ARQ, an advanced longevity platform that integrates multi-omics, behavioral sciences, and artificial intelligence to deliver personalized health and performance insights. His expertise spans genomic sequencing, proteomics, digital health, wearables, and emerging medical technologies.
Efrem co-founded Pura Vida Investments, where he served as Managing Member. Under his leadership, the firm established a strong track record investing across medical technology, life science tools, and biotechnology. Pura Vida's flagship fund received multiple industry distinctions from HFM Global, Institutional Investor, and Pension Bridge, including:
• Best Long-Term 5-Year Performance (2021)
• Best Long/Short Manager (2019)
• Best Specialist Equity Manager (2019)
• Best U.S. Emerging Fund Manager for Global Equities (2018)
• Emerging Manager of the Year – Runner Up (2013)
Following a distinguished 22-year career investing in medical technology, life science tools, and biotechnology, Efrem transitioned his focus toward human performance, fitness, and longevity, founding ARQ. He is also the lead author and investor of three USPTO patent applications relating to health, fitness, blood glucose, and wearable technology.
Efrem serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor at Columbia Business School, where he developed and teaches a course on investing in medical technology, and as an Assistant Professor in Biomedical Engineering at Columbia Engineering. He is also pursuing advanced studies in wellness and lifestyle medicine through Harvard Medical School.
Efrem is a NASM-certified personal trainer, nationally ranked bodybuilder, and advisor to professional sports organizations on fitness and longevity protocols. He is a Director, strategic advisor, and minority investor in Sheffield United F.C., serves on the advisory board of NeuFit, and is a board advisor to ALTERD, a digital mental health and psychedelic wellness platform. He also serves as a Venture Partner at PressOn Ventures.
Efrem is a member of the Global Special Forces Foundation's Health and Human Performance Committee, with subcommittee positions on 1) Mission Essential Task List (METL) Implications for HHP and 2) Dual-Use Innovation for SOF HHP. He is on the Board of Directors of the Military Special Operations Family Collaborative.
His philanthropic affiliations include the Global Vitiligo Foundation, the What If Foundation, The Bowery Mission, The Skatepark Project, and the Jackie Robinson Foundation.
Efrem earned a B.A. with Honors from Columbia University, majoring in Economics and Linguistics. He began his career in investment banking at JPMorgan Chase, before moving into healthcare portfolio management and analyst roles at several leading investment firms, including Citadel.